Compact SUVs have gained immense popularity in the United States, becoming one of the most sought-after vehicle segments after pickup trucks. C-SUVs offer a winning combo of size, versatility, and practicality. They provide spacious and comfortable cabin space for passengers, ample cargo room, and a raised seating position with enhanced visibility, instilling a sense of confidence on the road. This versatility appeals to a wide range of buyers, including families, young professionals, and adventure enthusiasts.

Kia has introduced some excellent compact SUVs like the Seltos in the U.S. market, which have garnered a strong fan base of customers. Another small SUV that Kia has yet to release in the U.S. but has enjoyed success with in overseas markets like India, the Middle East, and Latin America is the Kia Sonet.

The Kia Sonet was developed mainly for the Indian market in the year 2020. Positioned below the Seltos in the line-up, it closely resembles the similarly-sized Hyundai Venue. The Sonet has a more aggressive appearance with Kia’s signature ‘Tiger Nose’ grille, LED DRLs housed in prominent headlamps, and a light bar connecting the rear LED tail lamps.

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Why Should Kia Introduce The Sonet To The U.S. Market?

A front 3/4 action shot of a 2023 Kia Sonet X-Line

The Sonet is a subcompact crossover SUV built on the Hyundai-Kia K2 platform shared with the Hyundai Venue. The Kia Sonet offers a diverse range of engine options to cater to different preferences. The lineup includes a 1.2-Liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine generating 82 horsepower and 84 pound-feet of torque. For those seeking more power, there’s a 1.0-liter turbo gasoline engine producing 118 horsepower and 126 pound-feet of torque. Additionally, a 1.5-liter diesel engine is available, delivering 99 horsepower and an impressive 184 pound-feet of torque.

Engine Specifications

In terms of transmission, Kia has provided a wide array of choices, which include a five-speed manual, a six-speed manual, a six-speed torque converter automatic, a seven-speed DCT (dual-clutch transmission), and a six-speed iMT (intelligent manual transmission), similar to what’s offered in the Venue. Notably, a six-speed automatic option is available for the diesel engine.

Exterior Styling

The exterior of the Kia Sonet exudes a premium feel with carefully crafted touches throughout. The top-of-the-line GT Line variant, which features striking red inserts, adding a dynamic flair to the car’s appearance. Emphasizing its rugged appeal, the grille boasts a sleek and chrome-free design. The headlamps, equipped with LEDs, emanate a modern and sharp aesthetic, while the fog lamps showcase elegant piano black housings.

The side profile of the Sonet continues the muscular theme, with attention-grabbing 16″ alloy wheels stealing the spotlight. Kia has truly mastered the art of designing alloy wheels, evident in their exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail, which elevates the vehicle’s overall appeal. The Kia Sonet’s exterior design showcases a perfect balance of premium elements and rugged charm, particularly in the GT Line variant, making it a visually captivating and distinctive option in the compact SUV segment.

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Interior Comfort

A shot of the dashboard in a 2023 Kia Sonet X-Line

The Kia Sonet boasts a premium interior, creating an overall pleasant ambiance in the cabin. Depending on the trim chosen, you can enjoy either dual-tone interior or a sleek full black theme with striking red stitching, particularly in the GT Line variant. The dashboard design is ergonomic and user-friendly, while the steering wheel design resembles that of the Seltos, exuding a sense of familiarity.

The front seats are a highlight, offering exceptional comfort and ample space. They feature well-designed bolsters and provide adequate support for long journeys. However, while the rear seats are nicely contoured, the Sonet falls slightly short in rear space. Legroom is comparable to that of the Venue, but taller passengers might experience some limitations as your knees could brush against the front seatbacks if occupied by a tall passenger.

The Kia Sonet boasts a large and impressive 10.25-inch HD screen adorning its dashboard, similar to its counterpart, the Seltos. This screen offers UVO connectivity options, enabling live traffic information and Over-The-Air (OTA) map updates, enhancing the vehicle’s navigation capabilities. Additionally, a wireless smartphone charger with cooling function has been seamlessly integrated, ensuring convenient charging on the go.

A shot of the front seats in a 2023 Kia Sonet X-Line

Notably, the Sonet comes equipped with an Air purifier featuring Virus protect technology, emphasizing Kia’s commitment to passenger well-being and comfort. The vehicle matches the Hyundai Venue in terms of equipment and then goes a step further, offering extra features such as a seven-speaker Bose sound system and ventilated front seats for both the driver and front passenger. Furthermore, the Sonet includes a Tire Pressure Monitoring System and cruise control to enhance the driving experience.

While the Sonet offers an array of advanced features, it does miss out on a 360-degree camera. Nevertheless, the package does include a one-touch sunroof, adding a touch of luxury to the overall driving experience. The Sonet impresses with its comprehensive and innovative features, making it an appealing choice in the competitive compact SUV market.

Despite the spatial constraints, Kia ensures the rear passengers’ comfort with thoughtful amenities, such as dedicated AC vents and a USB charging socket. While the Sonet may not be the most spacious in its class, its premium interior and attention to passenger comfort make it an appealing choice in the compact SUV segment.

A shot of the Kia Seltos in the City

The Kia Sonet’s success lies in its ability to replicate the winning formula of its larger sibling, the Seltos, in a more compact form. It impressively shares almost all the Seltos’ features, many of which are rare to find at this price point. Additionally, although it may not really find many takers in the United States, the Seltos offers an excellent 1.5 diesel engine with a choice of a manual or torque-converter automatic gearbox. The diesel automatic variant, in particular, stands out as the best powertrain, delivering a smooth and efficient performance, making the Sonet feel like a more premium and larger vehicle.

Despite its successes, the Sonet does have some limitations. Similar to the Hyundai Venue, its back seat lacks the spaciousness offered by some rivals, and the ride can feel slightly choppy. Additionally, the handling dynamics may not be as engaging as some would hope. Nevertheless, the Kia Sonet strikes an impressive balance among compact SUVs, offering a loaded feature set and outstanding versatility. If you seek a compact vehicle that can handle various tasks with ease and comes packed with features, the Sonet remains a top choice.

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What’s So Special About The Sonet X-Line?

The Sonet X-Line Special Edition is the latest and best version of the model so far. This version comes with the following upgrades over the standard

Exterior Updates:

• Matte graphite (grey) exterior paint shade
• Gloss black knurled pattern grille
• Piano black finish with dark metal accents on front and rear skid plates
• Gloss black fog lamp garnishes and outside wing mirrors
• Dark metal accents on doors
• 16-inch alloy wheels with gloss black finish
• Silver brake calipers (instead of red on standard GT models)

Interior Updates:

• New dual-tone color scheme
• Black headliner
• Leatherette upholstery with orange contrast stitching and X Line logos
• Based on the top-spec GTX+ trim with existing features and equipment

Engine Options:

• Expected to offer the 120hp, 1.0-liter turbo-gasoline engine
• Expected to offer the 100hp, 1.5-liter diesel engine (115hp in automatic variant)
• Transmission options: iMT and DCT for the gas model, and manual and torque converter automatic for the diesel

The Kia Sonet has undoubtedly made a strong impact in the compact SUV market with its winning combination of style, features, and performance. With a diverse range of engine options and transmission choices, it caters to various driving preferences and needs. Its premium interiors, loaded with advanced technology and comfort features, provide a delightful driving experience.

While some limitations exist in terms of rear space and handling dynamics, the Sonet X-Line Special Edition showcases the best version yet, with distinctive exterior styling touches and a refined interior. If Kia were to introduce the Sonet to the U.S. market, it would seamlessly fill the gap between the Kia Soul and the Seltos, offering American consumers another compelling choice in the highly sought-after compact SUV segment.